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Brazil’s environment minister, Marina Silva, has called on every country to demonstrate the courage needed to confront the imperative of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the creation of a roadmap as an “moral” answer to the climate crisis.

She emphasized, however, that involvement in this endeavor would be voluntary and “self-determined” for willing governments.

This issue stands as one of the most debated subjects at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with nations divided over whether and how such a strategy can be addressed. Hosting the event, Brazil has maintained a carefully neutral position on what can be included on the formal agenda.

The official expressed approval for the potential of a roadmap, without explicitly pledging the country to it. The minister stated: “In times we have a terrain that is quite grim, it is good that we have a guide. But the map does not compel us to travel, or to advance.”

Speaking further, she added: “The roadmap is an response to our scientific understanding [of the climate emergency]. It is an moral response.”

Dozens of countries gathered in Belém for the global climate conference, which is starting its next phase, are aiming to establish how a worldwide phaseout of fossil fuels could be implemented. They hope to advance a historic agreement reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

The commitment lacked a schedule or specifics on the way it could be achieved, and although it was passed by all, several nations have since attempted to back away from the pledge. Attempts last year to elaborate on its real-world implications were stymied by opposition from petrostates at COP29.

As a result, there was no mention of the shift away from carbon fuels in the outcome of that conference.

Because of this, the host has been cautious of demands by some nations to include the phaseout on the schedule for COP30. But Silva has worked hard in private to make sure the pledge could be talked about at the summit apart from the formal program.

She convinced the nation's leader, who gave public reference three times to the need to “move away from dependence on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that came before the conference, and at the start of the event.

“The issue is something that we understand at some point had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to address the problem from the source,” Marina Silva said. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we cannot sell unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the topic is courageous, and I wish [to see] this bravery from all, from producers and consumers.”

The nation had not started the call for a transition, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Instead, it was allowing the discussions to take place in line with what some nations wished. “We know these topics are sensitive. We will provide the opportunity to talk about it,” she added.

There is not enough time at the summit to create a roadmap, a process Silva called could take several years because many nations confronted complicated challenges around reliance on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the proceeds from selling fossil fuels to fund their development.

“The country raises the topic, because Brazil is both a producer and consumer,” she said. “But Brazil is unique, because Brazil, if it chooses to, does not have to rely on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are some that rely on fossil fuels in their economies and lack simple alternatives, and others where oil and gas are the foundation of their economic structure.

“To be fair is to be fair to all, but the essential, primordial fairness is not being unjust to the planet, because it is our home.”

Should the pledge gains enough backing, the summit could set up a platform in which the work of creating a strategy to the transition could begin.

This process would involve dialogue with all participating countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the initiative would unfold, the minister explained. “Once we have criteria, a management framework can be drawn up; once we have a plan, and establish safeguards to be able to establish trust in the process, I am confident that with these elements we can transform positive concepts into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to start developing a roadmap would be accepted at COP30, even if it may not need the formal approval of the summit, which operates by consensus and can be hijacked by particular groups. COP experts have indicated they believe there could be backing for such a idea from about 60 countries, but there are believed to be at least forty against. A total of one hundred ninety-five countries participating at the negotiations.

“Despite being the primary source of climate change, fossil fuels are about the most divisive subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a sizable group of nations openly backing a route to realizing worldwide phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no path to a planet where warming stays below 1.5C in which countries aren’t able to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We require this wording for real in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we talk about all topics but then when the main issue are the actual challenge.”

Discussions continued on Saturday on several unresolved issues that have still not been incorporated into the official schedule: commerce, openness, funding and how to address the gap between the carbon reduction countries have planned and those required to hold to the 1.5C temperature target.

A COP30 president promised a “note” that would cover these matters, after discussions – which have been underway since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official urged nations to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, meaning one of cooperation and positive dialogue.

Work on other key issues – including adjustment to the impacts of the climate crisis, the just transition for those impacted by the transition to a green economic system and how to strengthen governance capabilities in less developed nations – proceeded productively, the presidency said.

The host nation's chief negotiator stated the detailed part of the COP proceedings was approaching completion, and the political phase – when ministers who have the power to change their nations' positions arrive – was beginning.